The Evolution of the Timmies Lid

I distinctly recall these older flap-like, waffle-grooved, peel-back Tim-Hortons lids. And though it’s been years since I last saw the original lid, it’s hard to forget the mess they actually made: just consider your car cup holder at the slightest road dip on your commute through the mountains.

You might be thinking: Is a coffee lid really something we need to write an entire article about, though? Surely, I'm rehashing what had already been settled, years prior? And though I am asking myself the same question, I did write about the evolution of the slurpee cup a little while back. Here in the link for that if you're interested: (https://vocal.media/families/the-evolution-of-the-slurpee-cup).

Thus, naturally and progressively, the Timmies’ lids are open for discussion. How often do I dabble in Canadian Culture, after all? If there is any one thing that Canadians can all agree on, it's that we take our coffee serious enough. At any rate, I am rather curious what my readership thinks — are these newer lid designs an actual win?

I'm going to tell you what, though. We've had about seven years to mull it over, and without a doubt, I believe it's a substantial step in the right direction. But I’m not going to lie and say it fixed all the leakage problems, because it really did not. The coffee lid still leaks — just not nearly as bad as before! Even so, the hope for a better lid is around the corner, for I have chanced upon some even wilder designs during my coffee-hopping excursions: with some designs at specialty coffee shops featuring amazing stoppers that fit snuggly or plug directly into the sipping spout, and thus stopper it right up.

There are some folks, of course, who may feel rather nostalgic about the old lids (pre-2020), but the case is rather closed on this one for the time being. Of course, there will always be those rebellious few collectors who will continue to try to sell the old versions for hundreds of dollars to gullible and enthusiastic saps; and there's really no sense in policing that. I can't substantiate this claim, but I’m not one, personally, to be so rash or illogical as to make some ridiculous purchase for a vintage lid just for old time's sake. But don't let me stop you if you truly want to time-travel?

You know, I can’t count the number of times I carried the old lid with coffee in my mouth, though, as I fumbled with keys, or if I needed to steer with two hands around a tight corner on the road. That might be the only real misstep in the new design from my point of view — the hole being not quite big enough for that trick. But, now, 7 years after the fact, people have well adjusted to this new design. It’s not a source of controversy anymore. In fact, most people have forgotten all about the change. They continue, just as eagerly as ever, to queue up at the till to receive their soma. Thus, I'm only really writing this one to fire up old nostalgia and rehash some memories.

But is this lid open to further modification? They changed the colour to white for environmental reasons. But is a new design in the works, and is another new lid pursuit a worthwhile endeavour? Tim Hortons will have to comment back here in due time.

In any case, I've added a new feature on my profile. You may, if you've found my articles of some value, contribute to my occasional soma intake. The link for that can be found here: https://buymeacoffee.com/delusionsofgrandeur

Thanks for your continued support. Have a great Terry Fox day :)